Saints Women march on to semi-finals

Match Report

Goals: Redding (42), Ridge (83).
Yellow cards: Redding (33), B.Lewis (86).
Substitutions: Jarvie for Chapman (82), Samson for Williams (88).

Match report by Michael Davies

The New Saints Women claimed a 2-0 victory against Pontypridd United at Park Hall Stadium to get through to the semi-finals of the Genero Adran Trophy.

Izzy Redding netted in the first-half and then Emily Ridge scored the goal that sealed the tie in the second 45.

The result means that The Saints will play in their second consecutive Adran Trophy semi-final.

It was a very quiet start to game, when the first shot came in the 22nd minute. Emily Ridge played a through ball to Caitlin Chapman, who got an effort away in the box, but Eleanor Brook was quick to the scene to make the save.

Before the half hour mark, Helen Evans layed the ball off to Lia Lewis outside the 18-yard area. Lewis had an attempt that went straight into the gloves of Brook with the game remaining goalless.

Pontypridd United had their first chance in the 34th minute, as Anais Trinci whipped in a corner that found Alison Witts, who had a header from close range that was caught brilliantly by Sarah Parkes.

After a half of little action, The New Saints took the lead in the 42nd minute. A Beth Lewis free-kick found Evans at the back post, where the ball was played to Izzy Redding and the centre-half scored into Brook’s bottom-left corner.

Deep into stoppage time, Emily Ridge found the back of the net, however the referee ruled out the goal with the claim that Brook had two hands on the ball and the keeper had lost control of it before the chance fell to Ridge.

No one had a shot in the second 45 until the 69th minute, where Evans had an effort from outside the box that went wide.

The Saints continued to push for a second a while later in the half. Dani Staley had an attempt from 25-yards away which Brooks managed to deal with.

The Dragons almost levelled in the 80th minute. Substitute, Erin Parry hit the ball from close distance, but it was well dealt with by Parkes.

TNS doubled their advantage soon after in the 83rd minute. Lia Lewis played a through ball to Ridge, who slotted it past Brook and into the net.

Staley had the last chance from distance in added time that Brook saved.

Greg Draper’s side are next in action against Abergavenny this Wednesday (January 18) in the Genero Adran Premier at Park Hall Stadium.